ProRodeo Sports News - April 15, 2022

LOGANDALE, NEV.

CLARK COUNTY FAIR & RODEO

Hardwick in quest to get back to NFR in Las Vegas The Chase BY JOLEE JORDAN, Special to ProRodeo Sports News S eth Hardwick is perennially amongst the upper echelon of bareback riders in ProRodeo but has only settled into the famous yellow bucking chutes of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo once in his long and successful career. That year, 2015, Hardwick finished third in the world standings after placing in seven rounds. Southern Nevada was kind to Hardwick again in 2022 as the TOP SCORES Driggers Nogueira

TOP MONEY WINNERS Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira ($7,052

Ranchester, Wyo., cowboy claimed the win at the Clark County Fair & Rodeo in Logandale, just about 30 minutes outside of Vegas. The rodeo returned after a two-year absence due to the COVID pandemic. “It was good to have that one back,” Hardwick said. “It’s one we always go to.” After an 86-point ride aboard Macza Pro Rodeo’s OLS Tubs Stevie Knicks, Hardwick, 33, earned $5,570 and jumped to 21st in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings, giving him a boost toward making a return trip to the Nevada desert come December. “I’ve been to Logandale quite a few times, but I don’t know that I’d ever done anything there,” Hardwick said. “It’s a great rodeo and it’s good to finally win it.” That determination has kept Hardwick pounding the road despite setbacks along the way during his 11-year pro career. He finished 24th in the standings a year ago, marking his eighth top 30 finish. A string of injuries following his 2015 NFR qualification have provided more than enough adversity for the resilient cowboy. “They say injuries are just part of the sport, but I seem to have had the injury bug a lot,” Hardwick said. He missed the entire 2016 season with a hip injury that has continued to be an issue off and on. “I’ve dealt with my hip, my bicep and even had to have my elbow scoped.” It’s a love of the sport that keeps him bouncing back again and again. “I just love rodeo,” he said. “When things are going right, there’s nothing like it. It’s a fun life, doing what you love and being out there with your friends. As long as I’m decent at it and can make a living, that’s what I’m going to do.” Hardwick definitely wants another crack at the Wrangler NFR and he’s hoping his story turns around in 2022 with the turning point being the Nevada match-up with one of ProRodeo’s most electric bucking horses in Stevie Knicks. His Logandale dancing partner has contributed to more than her share of wins in recent years including eye-popping trips with three-time World Champion TimO’Connell in San Angelo, worth 94 points, and a 93-point, Round 10 win at the 2019 NFR for to help Clayton Biglow clinch a world championship. Hardwick had danced to Stevie Knicks tune previously, recording a 90-point ride to win the Parker County Sheriff ’s Posse Frontier Days and PRCA Rodeo inWeatherford, Texas, last June. “She’s incredible,” he said. “If you’ve got Stevie Knicks drawn, you’ve got an excellent shot to win the rodeo if you do your job.” Logandale was a stop on the NFR Playoff Series presented by PendletonWhisky, and the points Hardwick gathered up landed him inside the top 30 of the Playoff Series.

each in team roping) BAREBACK RIDING

1. Seth Hardwick ......................... 86 pts. 2. Zack Brown ................................. 85.5 (Tie) Caleb Bennett ..................... 85.5 STEER WRESTLING 1. Ringo Robinson ............ 8.3 sec. on 2 2. Trell Etbauer .................................. 8.7 3. Two tied at .................................... 8.8 TEAM ROPING 1. Driggers/Nogueira ......... 9.5 sec. on 2 2. C. Kidd/L. Mitchell ...................... 10.2 3. C. Snow/W. Thorp ....................... 10.4 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Sage Newman ...................... 89.5 pts. 2. Kolby Wanchuk ........................... 85.5 3. Isaac Diaz ................................... 84.5 TIE DOWN ROPING 1. Marty Yates ................. 18.6 sec. on 2 2. Neil Dove .................................... 20.0 (Tie) JD McCuistion .................... 20.0 BARREL RACING 1. Megan McLeod-Sprague ... 17.22 sec. 2. Three tied at .............................. 17.32 BULL RIDING 1. Jeff Askey ............................... 88 pts. 2. Sage Kimzey .................................. 87 3. Clayton Savage ........................... 86.5

Hailey Rae photo

Bareback rider Seth Hardwick had an 86-point ride aboard Macza Pro Rodeo’s OLS Tubs Stevie Knicks to win the Clark County Fair & Rodeo in Logandale, Nev.

Complete results/Page 39

ProRodeo Sports News May 2022

ProRodeo Sports News 4/15/2022

ProRodeo.com

ProRodeo.com

28

29